When Academy Award winner and multiple-time nominee Sissy Spacek makes a big-screen appearance, I take notice.
Spacek’s films are few and far between. Not long after In the Bedroom opened in 2001, Parade asked her why.
“I had a dozen years to act before starting a family, then found that motherhood dwarfed everything else. Once or twice a year, I take a project that appeals to me for its redeeming social value.”
That certainly explains why she took the role in Hot Rod.
OK, I admit I kinda enjoyed Lazy Sunday, but I tend to have a wait-and-see attitude toward movies by Saturday Night Live comics. (Except Tina Fey, of course.) So if I’ve missed some critical social commentary by not seeing Hot Rod, please enlighten me.
More in line with Spacek’s talent is Hallmark Hall of Fame’s recently announced TV movie based on Newberry Honor winner Pictures of Hollis Woods, a young adult novel by Patricia Reilly Giff.
The story’s central character, 12-year-old Hollis Woods (played by Jodelle Ferland), was in a number of foster homes before landing with Josie Cahill (Spacek), a retired teacher and artist who is slowly succumbing to dementia. Alfre Woodard plays Hollis’ social worker, Edna Reilly. The novel is beautifully written and, with Hallmark at the helm, I expect the movie to be equally well crafted. And the insight into the struggle between Hollis and Josie’s nontraditional family and the too-traditional foster care system definitely qualifies as redeeming social value.
Look for Pictures of Hollis Woods later this year. Then we can all forgive Spacek for Hot Rod together.
